Lake Areare is one of 31 peat lakes in the Waikato region. Peat lakes are globally rare ecosystems. Classified as ‘acutely threatened’, the Waikato peat lakes are important historically, culturally and environmentally.
Lake Areare is one of three lakes which is the focus a restoration project called Living Water. Living Water’s key focus is restoring unique peat ecosystems, enhancing habitat around the lake margins, and transforming agricultural drains into healthy waterways. Improving water quality of these lakes will help mudfish, bittern, fern birds, dab chicks and long-finned eel return (www.livingwater.net.nz).
Main image by David G. Schmale III, Virginia Tech, https://www.schmalelab.spes.vt.edu/
